FIFA's medical chief has launched an astonishing attack on Holland's rugged approach in the World Cup final and said tougher sanctions are needed to punish "criminal and brutal" tackles.
Dr Michel D'Hooghe, a sports medical specialist and FIFA executive committee member, backed Holland coach Bert van Marwijk for dropping Nigel de Jong over his leg-breaking tackle on Hatem Ben Arfa but said he should have taken similar action after the final.
A record 14 yellow cards and one red were shown in the final and referee Howard Webb has admitted he should have sent off de Jong in that match for a karate-style kick.
The Belgian, the chairman of FIFA's medical committee, has made a video compilation of around 30 X-rated tackles to support his campaign.
D'Hooghe told Press Association Sport: "I have made a compilation of brutality and criminality over the last two or three years in the main competitions in the world and it is amazing."
Asked about de Jong being dropped by Van Marwijk, D'Hooghe said: "On the one hand I am happy that some leaders take responsibility - on the other hand I am very sad that he did not do the same at the final of the World Cup.
"All the sympathy that I had for the Dutch football family and still have was a little bit demolished in 90 minutes.
"The final was a lost chance if you want to show that match to the youth of the world as the best football in the world.
"That's why I was very sad on the evening of the final.
"I would like football without brutality and we are asking the referees to be very strict - they have the regulations on their side and they have a very important role on prevention.
"Things sometime go close to criminality on the field and if it's a criminal act on the field it should be sanctioned."
D'Hooghe's remarks may cause consternation in Holland given that they and Belgium are bidding jointly for the 2018 World Cup.
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FIFA president Sepp Blatter is to go to Downing Street next week to meet Prime Minister David Cameron but UEFA president Michel Platini is refusing all invitations to visit nations bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Platini has been invited to meet both Cameron and the Queen but has turned the chance down.
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Chuck Blazer, the American who is one of the 24 FIFA executive committee members, has been given a personal tour of England's World Cup bid plans this week - a challenging task for bid personnel.
Blazer was taken to Sunderland, Old Trafford, Wembley and Middlesbrough's training ground both by train and plane, and the transport issue was complicated by the fact that the VIP needs regular oxygen to deal with a health issue.
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Professional gambler Harry Findlay told the Leaders in Football conference that he had no integrity concerns about top-flight football in England but is not so sure about the game in Italy.
He said: "Professional punters like me know that you never bet on Serie A matches in the last two weeks of the season because of what can happen. I focus on Premier League and Champions League because they are straight."
A record 14 yellow cards and one red were shown in the final and referee Howard Webb has admitted he should have sent off de Jong in that match for a karate-style kick.
The Belgian, the chairman of FIFA's medical committee, has made a video compilation of around 30 X-rated tackles to support his campaign.
D'Hooghe told Press Association Sport: "I have made a compilation of brutality and criminality over the last two or three years in the main competitions in the world and it is amazing."
Asked about de Jong being dropped by Van Marwijk, D'Hooghe said: "On the one hand I am happy that some leaders take responsibility - on the other hand I am very sad that he did not do the same at the final of the World Cup.
"All the sympathy that I had for the Dutch football family and still have was a little bit demolished in 90 minutes.
"The final was a lost chance if you want to show that match to the youth of the world as the best football in the world.
"That's why I was very sad on the evening of the final.
"I would like football without brutality and we are asking the referees to be very strict - they have the regulations on their side and they have a very important role on prevention.
"Things sometime go close to criminality on the field and if it's a criminal act on the field it should be sanctioned."
D'Hooghe's remarks may cause consternation in Holland given that they and Belgium are bidding jointly for the 2018 World Cup.
*****
FIFA president Sepp Blatter is to go to Downing Street next week to meet Prime Minister David Cameron but UEFA president Michel Platini is refusing all invitations to visit nations bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Platini has been invited to meet both Cameron and the Queen but has turned the chance down.
*****
Chuck Blazer, the American who is one of the 24 FIFA executive committee members, has been given a personal tour of England's World Cup bid plans this week - a challenging task for bid personnel.
Blazer was taken to Sunderland, Old Trafford, Wembley and Middlesbrough's training ground both by train and plane, and the transport issue was complicated by the fact that the VIP needs regular oxygen to deal with a health issue.
*****
Professional gambler Harry Findlay told the Leaders in Football conference that he had no integrity concerns about top-flight football in England but is not so sure about the game in Italy.
He said: "Professional punters like me know that you never bet on Serie A matches in the last two weeks of the season because of what can happen. I focus on Premier League and Champions League because they are straight."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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